Here’s a move that’s sure to spark debate among baseball fans: Shelby Miller, the seasoned right-hander, has inked a two-year, $2.5 million deal with the Chicago Cubs—but there’s a catch. Miller, who won’t take the mound in 2026 due to recovery from offseason surgery, is a high-risk, high-reward signing for the Cubs. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this a smart investment in a player with a proven track record, or a gamble on a 35-year-old coming off a major injury? Let’s dive in.
The Cubs announced the deal over the weekend, with a source confirming the details to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. Miller, who split last season between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers, posted a solid 2.74 ERA with 10 saves in 48 appearances. And this is the part most people miss: Despite his impressive 2023 stats, Miller’s season ended abruptly on September 1 when he was placed on the 60-day injured list with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow. That injury, coupled with his age, raises questions about his long-term durability.
Miller’s history with the Cubs is brief but notable. In 2021, he pitched in three games for Chicago, surrendering seven runs and seven hits in just two innings. Over his 13-year career, he’s compiled a 51-69 record with a 4.04 ERA across 133 starts and 169 relief appearances for 10 different teams. Bold question: Can he bounce back from injury and become a reliable arm for the Cubs, or will this deal end up as a costly misstep?
The Cubs didn’t stop there, though. On Friday, they also announced minor league deals with right-handers Kyle Wright and Vince Velasquez, both of whom received invitations to big league spring training. Wright, a key figure in Atlanta’s 2021 World Series win, went 21-5 with a 3.19 ERA in 2022 but hasn’t pitched in the majors since. Velasquez, with a career 38-51 record and 4.88 ERA, is another wildcard. Controversial take: Are the Cubs assembling a scrappy, underdog rotation, or are they simply collecting injury-prone pitchers in hopes of striking gold?
What do you think? Is Shelby Miller’s signing a stroke of genius or a risky gamble? And can Wright and Velasquez regain their former glory? Let us know in the comments—this is one offseason move that’s bound to keep the debate alive.
